Many people recognize that losing one or more teeth is a problem, and that replacing their lost teeth is important to the state of their oral health. However, there is much about tooth loss that people often misunderstand, even if they’ve already experienced it. This can include the fact that tooth loss is often preventable, and that when it does occur, how you choose to replace your lost tooth or teeth can have serious implications for your long-term oral health.
You have a good chance of preventing it
The fact that tooth loss is preventable is one of the most frequent things that people misunderstand about the condition. To many patients, losing a tooth can seem inevitable, which may make them less diligent in taking steps that could help them prevent it. For example, the most common cause of tooth loss is severe gum disease, or periodontitis. Practicing consistently good dental hygiene and sticking to a consistent schedule of preventive dental care can significantly raise your chances of preventing gum disease from developing. You can also treat the condition in its early stages if it does develop, reducing your risks of it becoming severe enough to lead to tooth loss.
If it happens, how you replace the tooth matters
Replacing a lost tooth can do a lot of good for your smile’s appearance and bite function after you’ve experienced tooth loss. However, it may not always be obvious just how your tooth replacement restores your smile, or the impact that your choice has on your long-term oral health. For example, you may benefit more from a dental bridge or a partial denture, depending on how many teeth you’ve lost and where they were located on your dental ridge. Also, choosing to support your restoration on one or more dental implants can provide more benefits for your oral health than you may realize.
You can reduce your risks of losing more teeth
Besides the fact that it’s more preventable than you might realize, another common misconception about tooth loss is just how intricately it impacts your oral health. For instance, after losing one or more teeth and their roots, the variety of impacts to your dental ridge, tooth alignment, bite pressure, and the health and integrity of your jawbone structure can combine to raise your risks of losing more teeth in the future. By addressing the cause of your tooth loss and replacing your natural tooth structure as soon as possible, you can reduce those risks and preserve your healthy, natural smile longer.
Learn more about tooth loss and your oral health
Tooth loss can mean more for your smile than you might realize, and preventing or dealing with it promptly can have several positive impacts on your oral health. To learn more, schedule an appointment with us by calling Dreem Dentistry in Leawood, KS, today at 913-681-5500. We also serve patients who live in Overland Park and all surrounding communities.
